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Brake light problem....need help!

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Old Mar 11, 2010 | 09:17 PM
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Brake light problem....need help!

I noticed the other day that my brake lights aren't coming on until the brake pedal is depressed about 1/3 of the way down. I was told that there was an adjustment on the pedal assembly itself but I haven't been able to locate it. Any help on exactly where it is and how to adjust it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2010 | 09:18 PM
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By the way, the truck is a '93 F250 automatic if that makes any difference
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 06:02 AM
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The switch is mounted near the top of the brake pedal arm. It can be adjusted there. Just make it so the switch button is closer to the arm. If this fog ever breaks up today, I may try to get a small video of how to adjust them.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 07:21 AM
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It will be the only thing on your brake pedal with wires coming out of it.


If you have the plunger style switch you can adjust it by loosening the nut and extending the whole switch out towards the pedal more. You shouldn't have to move it much.

If you have the other style of brake switch there doesn't appear to be any adjustment. It's rectangular shaped with no exposed plunger. You will have to replace it.



I have the same issue with my 1993 F-150. Mine has the second switch I mentioned above. I replaced it and still have the same issue.

Good luck!
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 09:19 AM
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Plunger style switch???
When did Ford ever use one like that for brake lights?
Older Fords had a pressure switch on the MC for brake lights. My 57 Ford had one of those.
Are you talking about the vacuum switch for the Speed Control?
The brake light switch is non adjustable.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 10:55 AM
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This one. Probably not the best description. Autozone list this kind for my truck. Also I've seen them on some fords in the junk yard when I was looking for interior pieces.

 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by starrider
This one. Probably not the best description. Autozone list this kind for my truck. Also I've seen them on some fords in the junk yard when I was looking for interior pieces.
Autozone is wrong.
The 1993 F-series shop manual list this switch for your truck:




/
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 11:58 AM
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Yep, thats what my pick up and van both have. Was there an issue with this type? The reason I ask is because I've seen the other style on ford pick ups in the junk yard. I guess maybe an after market kit.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by subford
Autozone is wrong.
The 1993 F-series shop manual list this switch for your truck:




/
Thanks! I saw that when I was looking around the other day but I was told it was the plunger type so that explains why I couldn't find it. Guess I'll try to take it apart and see if maybe it's just sticking. I don't think it has been doing it for very long but I'm sure that it's the original switch that has held up to 276k so it may just need to be replaced.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 04:47 PM
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I had the same problem a few years ago and replaced the brake switch, but that didn't help. I think I finally figured out that the brake booster was leaking, replaced it, and it solved my brake light problem too. Maybe it was just pure luck....
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by gmk035
I had the same problem a few years ago and replaced the brake switch, but that didn't help. I think I finally figured out that the brake booster was leaking, replaced it, and it solved my brake light problem too. Maybe it was just pure luck....
Now that you mention it my brake and abs light has been coming on periodically and the brake pedal becomes slightly harder to depress. I figured maybe the booster was about to go out but it hasn't seemed to effect the braking at all and I'm not sure if I'm paranoid or if I can actually tell a difference.
 
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Old Mar 12, 2010 | 10:27 PM
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Now that I think back, I remember being able to quickly push the brake pedal down a short distance and the brake light would come on, and if I held it there for a short time the brake light would go out. Maybe that is what led me to suspect the brake booster.
 
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